Riki-Baka by Lafcadio Hearn (1887)

Name: Riki-Baka
Author: Lafcadio Hearn

The story revolves around a young samurai who seeks revenge for his father's death at the hands of a rival clan. He infiltrates the enemy's ranks by disguising himself as a madman and gains the trust of the clan leader, who becomes his mentor. As he rises through the ranks, the protagonist must navigate the complexities of loyalty, honor, and deception, all while keeping his true identity hidden. His actions become increasingly erratic and violent, causing concern among his comrades. The narrative explores themes of madness, morality, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion. The protagonist's descent into chaos raises questions about the nature of sanity and the consequences of unchecked ambition.

By Lafcadio Hearn · First published 1887 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Coming-of-Age · 815 words

First lines

His name was Riki, signifying Strength; but the people called him Riki-the-Simple, or Riki-the-Fool,-"Riki-Baka,"-because he had been born into perpetual childhood. For the same reason they were kind to him,-even when he set a house on fire by putting a lighted match to a mosquito-curtain, and clapped his hands for joy to see the blaze. At sixteen years he was a tall, strong lad; but in mind he remained always at the happy age of two, and therefore continued to play with very small children. The bigger children of the neighborhood, from four to seven years old, did not care to play with him, because he could not learn their songs and games. His favorite toy was a broomstick, which he used as a hobby-horse; and for hours at a time he would ride on that broomstick, up and down the slope in front of my house, with amazing peals of laughter. But at last he became troublesome by reason of his noise; and I had to tell him that he must find another playground. He bowed submissively, and then went off,-sorrowfully trailing his broomstick behind him. Gentle at all times, and perfectly harmless if allowed no chance to play with fire, he seldom gave anybody cause for complaint. His relation to the life of our street was scarcely more than that of a dog or a chicken; and when he finally disappeared, I did not miss him. Months and months passed by before anything happened to remind me of Riki.

What this Textopian page supports

Riki-Baka is listed on Textopian as a short story by Lafcadio Hearn, dated 1887 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Short story
Author: Lafcadio Hearn
Date: 1887 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Magical Realism, Coming-of-Age, Philosophical Fiction, Short Story
Length: 815 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for Riki-Baka by Lafcadio Hearn
Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters

What should a reader notice first when entering Riki-Baka?
How does this short story by Lafcadio Hearn fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
Where does Literary Fiction first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The narrative explores deep themes of innocence, societal perception, and the human condition through the life of a simple-minded character.
Magical Realism — The story incorporates elements of the supernatural, such as the rebirth and the significance of the characters on the child's hand.
Coming-of-Age — The protagonist's perpetual childhood and interactions with other children highlight themes of growth and innocence.
Philosophical Fiction — The work prompts reflection on life, death, and the nature of existence through its portrayal of Riki's life and legacy.